Author: Lucinda

rating: pg13

main characters: Joyce (Before she became Mrs. Summers), Charles Xavier.

disclaimer: you know they aren't mine.

distribution: Twisting, Mental Wanderings - anyone else want it?

notes: consider this a holiday 'What if?' for the universe of the X-men.

Joyce sank into the hard plastic chair, her hands wrapped around the mug. Teeth chattering, she grumbled, "It's freezing out there."

"So, why were you even out there?" Charles Xavier asked, smiling at her over his textbook.

"Hank and I were supposed to go for a bite to eat after practice." She sighed, and sipped the hot cocoa in her hands. "Except that practice drug on for hours, and then he went off with the guys for beer."

"Instead of going off to cozy up for a drink with you?" Charles looked shocked. "That's it, the cold has warped his mind."

Joyce just laughed. "Charles, you just might be on to something."

"Do you think we can lure you away from him for good?" Eric murmured, one hand resting on Charles's shoulder. "I'm sure that either Charles or myself could show you a much better time than some football player too busy to remember that you sat outside freezing in hopes of a few moments of his company."

Joyce raised her mug, considering Eric and Charles. There was quite a bit of speculation about them, and questions of just how close they really were. But both of them were handsome, and smart, and seemed nice to talk to.

Charles grinned, blue eyes sparkling. "Do you think we could persuade you?"

"Why gentlemen, I do believe that the pair of you are flirting with me." Joyce replied.

"Is it working?" Charles asked, walking closer to her, the book abandoned on the table.

Eyes twinkling, Joyce considered her options. She could mope over Hank, or enjoy Charles and Eric flirting with her. They probably didn't mean anything by it, but it felt a lot better than moping. Putting the cocoa down on the table, she sauntered over to the doorway. "Look, mistletoe."

Then Charles Xavier was kissing her, and Joyce didn't really think about anything else anymore.

End School Daze.